This week, watching Commander in Chief,
I felt as if I was in the middle of a lovable Steve Martin movie, one where the children were full of hi-jinks, the
sexual escapades were many, the adults were in charge of Very Important Things and, at the end, everyone met over
the breakfast table to giggle and eat homemade pancakes. In other words: schmaltz. In other words: saccharine. Gah! And
just when we thought Nathan Templeton was going to be evil again.
Speaking of Donald Sutherland's evilness, I was happy to see just a glimpse of it, but it was prefaced by such a terrifically (I almost wrote, monumentally) obvious and overplayed line from Jim. I'll get to that in a minute. But first:
Isn't this show supposed to be award-winning? Oh, right, it was Geena Davis. Well, congratulations sweetie, I think you deserve it. But with dialogue like this, you may not keep the honor for long.
Tonight the kids had a party in the Oval Office, the President got to talk down a terrorist bent on blowing up Air Force One, and (not to be outdone) Richard McDonald, flirtacious campaign manager, gets a roll in the hay with a cute reporter chick. Yes! I know! It sounds like a cross between Party of Five and Over There.
There were parts of this show that were actually kind of cute. When Becca is showing her friend the button that sends a launch code to a satellite (but really just turns on a light), she's sweet and funny. Out of character, sure, but extremely likable! And when Richard's flirting with the reporter, oh, he's highly likable in a soda-pop kind of way.
But sorry: got NO respect for a campaign manager who so giddily, and inelegantly, sleeps with a reporter. A skilled writer could make an affair like this seem more important. But here? It's gaudy and silly, a 19-year-old flirtation. "So does this mean we're members of the mile-high club?" the reporter trills as they button up (they've had sex in Air Force One, while the plane waiter - on the ground - for the President to finish her tour). I gag, and want to hurry her buttoning, and get her off the screen already.
Then we come to the negotiation bit. It seems that the terrorist who wants to blow the plane up has an agenda: he was a disabled veteran, who partially recovered, and thus his wife is no longer covered by his health care and there's some super-expensive treatment that she could use to get well and no one will give her. Hey, didn't Denzel Washington try this? Why not threaten the President of the United States.
No one's really in danger, as the plane is evacuated. But still, here's another opportunity for Mac to show her balls, or lack thereof. Templeton drools over the prospect of her screwing up. She decides to talk directly to the man, convince him to back down. Is she... negotiating with terrorists? Cue Jim.
Jim: Madame President, this has the makings of a monumental blunder.
Evilly lip-licking look by Donald Sutherland.
Naturally, Mac doesn't negotiate, but somehow manages to talk him down, let him save face, and not promise him a thing. Templeton is foiled again. They all return back to the White House, full of assymetrical zippered dresses and secret satisfaction. Where, unbeknownst to them, the children have lost the Gettysburg Address (one of six copies).
Yes! This is a Disney movie with Lindsay Lohan (before the drugs and anorexia)!
Steven Bochco: thank you for the lovely clothes President Allen wears. But please, please, please, hire some writers and stop using one of those lotto machines to shake up lines from old movies and TV shows and re-organize them in some semblance of TV. Please.














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-26-2006 @ 12:32AM
Dorv said...
I still don't like this show. I want to... I was excited to see that Bochco was brought on board, because I thought he could at least provide interesting stories. I was excited to see MPG brought on board, because I think he's developed considerably more acting chops than his days on Saved by the Bell (He was hit or miss on NYPD Blue, but when he was on, he was on... Also, his guest arc on Over There was pretty damn good, IMHO).
I've just continued to be disapointed. I remember calling someone the first night that I watched the show, and discussed the possibility of never liking the show because I couldn't get past the premise... Not the premise of a female POTUS, because I'm all about that given the right woman (Not a Clinton fan, not a Condy fan FWIW).... But the premise that Allen, in her last moments as VPOTUS, didn't follow that maxim that The West Wing beat us over the head with in certian episodes... Serving at the pleasure of the president. I know many would argue that Bridges should have never asked Allen to step down, and in reality, I'd agree with that sentiment. However, in our fantasy world, I was hoping that there would really be a better explanation as to why she blatently disobeyed the wishes of the president. I did study a bit of the presidency in college (My government degree is going COMPLETELY to waste as I continue working in the Amusement Park Industry), but I really think it was the West Wing indoctrination that put that bias in me.
Sue me. Or, tell me I'm wrong. I'd love someone to help me get over that bias, because maybe its keeping me from enjoying a decent show.
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1-26-2006 @ 3:16AM
Jort said...
There was only one good moment in this episode.
Templeton literally caught with his hand in the cookiejar on Air Force One. The look on his face is priceless. That is all.
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1-26-2006 @ 4:07AM
Scott Roberts said...
CnC is not the West Wing and won't be. The producers are clearly pandering to a much younger demographic with the bubble-gum kid stuff though they probably hit the remote when the show gets series to keep the interests of the fewer and fewer adults.
Trying to please both I think will be this show's undoing as ratings are tumbling since the new wore off. They took too long of a break over The Holidays as well losing what little momentem the first few episodes created.
Templeton is good when he's evil but it's not palusable that she spends so much of every day with him nor that her chief of staff is always angry and bitter about something.
The writers should be scrambling to make this show more believable but I fear we're in for more cake and balloons. Just hope this shows demise doesn't cut into Boston Legal's ratings.
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1-26-2006 @ 12:56PM
Brent McKee said...
This series isn't "The West Wing" even in the Wells period, which saddens me even more when I consider how NBC sent the better show off to the network's equivalent of "the elephant's graveyard" (aka Sundays at 7 p.m. Central) to die. Put this season's episodes of "The West Wing" up against "Commander-in-Chief" and the latter show becomes a footnote that doesn't make 13 weeks.
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1-26-2006 @ 2:11PM
S. Vaughn said...
God, this show is a disaster. This episode was bad in too many ways to count, and increasingly, it may cause a cultural "damn, do we really want a female President if she's going to be this incompentent?" backlash. Hope not, though. I don't think Rod Lurie is any great shakes as a writer--I find his work implausible, over-obvious, melodramatic, maudlin, and poorly-researched--but man, ABC must be kicking themselves for killing their big fall hit by having Bochco come in and completely _botch_ it.
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1-26-2006 @ 3:30PM
Tony in Texas said...
I remember seeing the first episode of this program...and I enjoyed it, and wanted to see more. I let my TIVO know to get every episode. I looked at it that the president was a conservative, an honest politician, wanting to do right, etc. And that the mean ole "I'm gonna get you guy", the Speaker of the House, was a devlish liberal with all of the agenda for himself--a person only wanting power but caring little for the good he could do.
Then I heard comments on a talk show where it was said that the show is really showing this female president as Mrs. Clinton who on each episode solves a major problem in 45 minutes -- which would mean that the speaker was a mean ole Republican! I thought about this, was somewhat bothered, but kept on watching. Then the Speaker let it slip once I believe that "the others" were Democrats - Liberals. I am conservative but willing to always look at both sides. I'm somewhat tired of both sides and their promises. The Demo's don't know their agenda, except for defeating Bush -- and some of Bush's stuff helps this. And the Rep's got in but what have they really done. Mrs. Clinton's running would bother me, but who do the Rep's have to run? I can't see Bill in as the First Gentleman. He might be the first, but no gentleman. Interns look out!
I'll keep watching anyway each Tuesday to see what's next. I have seen a bit of what the children of President's go through -- and some of the daily pressure the First Family faces. There is never a relief from this. About the time you plan something with your family, well Russia or Iraq or some crazed terrorist calls for action. I see now why Bush takes time to get away to Crawford -- if he in fact can get away. I do see him greying more. Who really would want this job and responsibility?
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1-26-2006 @ 3:58PM
kip said...
Look, this was a filler episode. After the sub gets rescued and everyone is happy, its hard to recover from the drama of the leak. Yes, having Mark Paul Gossler shag the reporter in airforce one was stupid filler. Yes, having kids drinking booze is total BS. Yes tis on the mouse network but at least let it have one crappy episode.
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1-26-2006 @ 5:09PM
Cold Chilli said...
This could have been a good episode if they would have kept it to one issue. Just pick one: Campaign Finance Reform/Pandering, Rising Cost of Health Issues, Veteran Affairs (VA), Terrorism, Presidential Libraries, Teen Angst, and Preteen theft and neglect.
I laughed when the Aid locked up the Gettyburg Address in the cabinet. Where was they key before?
If they didn't have the bomb story it could have been a better story, just on the fact she needs to raise $200 million just to run effectively.
The biggest annoyance is the kids running around the West Wing, like there isn't any security in the building. How many cameras are around the oval. Isn't a Marine posted on the entrances even when the president isn't there?
Whats up with the sexy reporter aka 'Chicklet'? She's also a DA in Boston Legal, with a major story next week, btw. But who ever her dentist is needs to be fired. I couldn't get over how fake her teeth looked.
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1-26-2006 @ 7:54PM
Jimmy said...
I agree with many of the sentiments expressed here already: this show is suffering in a big way since Bochco came on board. I liked the show in the beginning. I liked how the First Gentlemen was struggling with the idea of being a man doing the First Lady's duties. I think ABC made a bad business decision in pushing creator Rod Lurie out the door. I also hate that Templeton and Allen are working together so much. Last week was plausible. It was a national emergency and the Speaker had something to offer, but tonight they could have done without having him there. It seems like the writers are stuggling to find ways to have Templeton and Allen working together. Unfortunately, it always seems forced. If this show can't improve creatively and ratings-wise I doubt we'll see a second term.
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1-30-2006 @ 10:19AM
Dorv said...
I guess I'm in the minority here. I thought the show was bad when Lurie was the the show runner, and has only (slightly) improved since Bochco came over (though this episode basically breaks down any movement he might have made).
I love to see a woman president, but I think Davis' (whom I love) performance here is so wooden. Same with Sutherland. Same with Secor (go back to Veronica Mars where you will be used SOOOOO much better). I like MPG, but if this week is an indicator of what's to come, I hope he finds a new show quickly. The COS, whse name escapes me, is by far my favorite aspect of the show (especially considering his relationship with NH's character), and that's not saying much.
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1-30-2006 @ 10:22PM
Bec said...
I've watched the first 5 episodes and I totally love it. How good would it be if it were reality ?
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2-16-2006 @ 8:08PM
Sheyla said...
okay.. so I like the show... but it is mainly because I read the fan fiction.
Fans can make any show seem better than it is.
I hate the writing, and I love the talent. I don't know what to do with myself half the time... so I concentrate on pretty people on the screen.
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3-11-2006 @ 1:04PM
nessy said...
if you dont like the show then don't watch. I feel the show is GOOD. I like the way the show handles many problems.
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3-11-2006 @ 1:18PM
nessy said...
Sry I forgot to finish...sure the trouble isn't real...or is it? I find the show a breath of fresh air and a good family show. None of the dumb stuff the reallity shows have. I like the way they all work together and join forces in the time of need.
If I knew how to rate it it with stars I would give it a 9 out of 10 star rating.
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3-14-2006 @ 6:12PM
G Reale said...
When is the show returning?
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3-17-2006 @ 8:36AM
Beth said...
I also like this show very much and would also like to know when it is coming back?
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4-05-2006 @ 7:06AM
dee caine said...
just getting Commander in Chief in australia - first season
Geena Davis ROCKS!!
i love her
she's brilliant
dee xxo
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4-05-2006 @ 7:06AM
dee caine said...
just getting Commander in Chief in australia - first season
Geena Davis ROCKS!!
i love her
she's brilliant
dee xxo
Reply
4-14-2006 @ 1:28PM
Glenda said...
I have watched this show from the beginning and I think it is GREAT.
It covers a lot on today's issues and I think that it should not be dropped or changed.
We the public say things about how our government works we do nothing or think we can't. I beleive this show is putting these issues under a lamp now. The politicians do so many underhanded things that we don't know about. Like last night show (A Bill) is presented to the House and Senate and items are attached to the original bill changing the whole reason for the bill.. This happens everyday and "WE THE PEOPLE" let it slip by us.. We think the government is working for US when they are only concerned about themselves and there friends.. We need people like the President that Geena Davis plays. If we did we would be a better country .
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4-21-2006 @ 8:49AM
jim said...
I love this program. The ten commercials every ten minutes are a sure bet to cause me and many others to go to another show to find some relief.
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